Anniedeb

I am self taught. All my discoveries have come by way of reading, watching TV, videos, quilt shows/displays, this board, pictures on the computer and magazines, and many ways I haven't listed. I enjoy the process. I have a basic Singer machine, (bought at Fleet Farm!) and everything I turn out comes off that machine. It has straight stitch, zig-zag, and a few more stitches. I call myself a "replacator". I see something, and I begin the process of figuring out how I can do what I've seen. I rarely use a pattern, and have no computer programs that aid in design. I sketch everything on parchment paper, and go from there. I have made dozens of wall hangings, quilts, totes, bags and tons of clothing. To date, I have never had anything LA quilted. While I appreciate a persons ability to do that, and the cost of their time and machine, and equipment, it is an added expense, that impacts the cost of my quilting. I quilt on my machine. STID, echo, and meandering designs. I've been quilting/sewing for over 50 years...I don't think it will go by the wayside!

petthefabric

Personally, I haven't evolved so much that tedious tasks don't bring me pleasure and satisfaction. So most of what I do is with mechanical machines. As my name says, I like to touch the texture of fabric. I like thinking about design and colors/values.
One thing I'm having more problems with is the result of my aging/arthritis, is cutting. Therefore, I'm trying to design on the computer then cut with Scan N Cut by Brother. We'll see if it helps. It does keep the mind active.

Clmay

I agree with you Anniedeb. I too am a self taught quilter. I use my Singer 201-2 to do all of my quilting, from start to finish. I love my old machines. The older the better.

Innov8R

I came to quilting late. I sewed for 57 years before I took up quilting. I have a lot to learn and enjoy learning. When I realized that standing at the cutting table for long periods made my back hurt, I got a cutter. I do not have room for a long arm and am not even sure I want one. I decided to buy a really big DSM with embroidery features that I unashamedly use to quilt with. I love it! I am starting applique with the Stars Over Baltimore BOW this month. I look forward to the applique blocks to keep beside a chair in my family room to work on while watching TV. I love designing on EQ and using anything available that helps me get from vision to reality.

In some ways, starting late is an advantage. I get to create my "habits" using technology and the latest information. I am not bound by the past and am free to explore everything. Some things work for me, others do not.

Krisb

Another self taught quilter. Do everything, start to finish on DSM. No embroidery machine; just the minimum “fancy”stitches for a good machine. Did indulge in a Sparrow 25 to get the alphabet fonts. Before that, I woukd free hand all my quilt labels. While quilting by check would not seem a luxury to some, it is to others. I still machine or hand quilt my own quilts for three reasons. 1) like to be responsible for the process. 2) would rather send the $ on more fabric, and 3) if you took out the time spent to quilt the quilt, I would be awash in quilts.

Charleen DiSante

I agree with the person you quoted. It is my experience that not as many as may like to can afford to send their quilts out to someone else. There are a majority in our guild of 150 members who quilt their own be it by hand or on their own domestic machines. I wonder what the stats are? Interesting discussion, though.

tropit

I love to get ideas from magazines, online web sites, etc., but these are inspirations to me...pretty much copying someone else's great invention. I find it frustrating that I don't come up more unique and original designs. Now that I have a few techniques under my belt, maybe I should just close the books and magazines and "create." We'll see.

~ C

Iona D.

I'm so glad that others are finding my topic choice so mind opening & interesting to explore. Wiith the prices of the domestic computerized sewing machines for home use dropping so fast now (well under $500 US dollars now at many stores!), I am seriously thinking about updating my own sewing machine usage to getting one for my very own and no longer rented or borrowed soon-within the next 6 months. For quilting, the Feather & Blanket stitches are the major draw for me. For basic sewing, the offering of and ease of selection with several button hole styles resulting in the consistent predictable 1 step sewing process & professional results is perfect for home-base clothes construction. My present mechanical only sewing machines will continue to do the basic foundation sewing of long Straight & Zig-Zag stitch seams for all my sewing projects since they are still-and probably always will be-the best at that function. I am far from over not incorporating my true very sturdy workhorses with the vast majority of my sewing needs!

If you read my previous topic on that another thread mentioned on my first post here, some of you would be aware I have some pressing financial problems right now that I must deal with now and in the near future. I don't think I'm the only one with the same problems. Nevertheless I still have to employ more draconian methods, outlook & the resulting choices to even something so mundane as sewing within the home. Some parts of the quilting world will be closed to me for a while longer-the Take Out or sending out of my unfinished work outside of my home is a sure bet. The new sewing machine will probably cost just as much as one potential long arm finished project would have. The machine itself should last for a long time with care for many future projects. The finished long arm quilt would not & could not contribute anything further for future projects. So my limited money in my strained budget allowance will go to the new sewing machine rather than just another quilt.

Iona D.

That does not mean that I never used outside assistance in creating some of my past projects. Here are a couple of examples of previous work done on simple shopping bags to "dress them up" a bit. These past projects give me hope that someday I will be able to afford the luxury of finer quilting methodology once again! All wrinkled due to such long term storage within my closet.

JoyjoyMarie

My two bits worth: I have been sewing off and on since 7th grade home ec. Taught myself to quilt from my mind, my observations, books and magazines, and YES - you ladies have taught me a lot. My family was middle class, but it always seemed financially hard pressed, so I just became a self-doer and a finder of the most economic way. My creations are often scrappy quilts. For me it is the creativity and expression that is important. I enjoy puzzling out some of the patterns I see - seldom use a purchased pattern for a quilt- there are too many traditional "free" patterns in the world to explore. That being said, I probably would have moved along a little faster and a little more competently if I had taken a few classes along the way, and was a little more particular about my fabric quality. I enjoy the tutorials on the net. Have no budget for sending quilts out to the long armer, and no desire for more of a machine than my (splurge) Janome 6600. It does most everything I want it to, if I cooperate with it. Just love the freedom of retirement to do what I want when I want to. And I love to quilt.